Team USA topped Slovakia 7-2 in the semifinal matchup of the U18 World Championship and will play in the gold-medal game on Sunday. James Hagens set a new single-tournament scoring record, surpassing Nikita Kucherov’s 21 points.

The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team advanced to the gold-medal game after defeating Slovakia, 7-2, in the semifinal matchup on Saturday. 

Max Plante led all skaters with four points (2-2-4), while James Hagens recorded three assists, setting a new single-tournament scoring record at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.

"It's just being out there, putting full trust in the guys that I'm out there with," Hagens said of why he's been so successful in this tournament. "We're working so well together. It's a fun time being out there. There's nothing better than going out on the ice and being able to play with those types of guys. Every guy is different, and it just brings something to the team, which helps us win out here."

Teddy Stiga opened the scoring on a backhander off a rebound in front at the 3:08 mark of the first period. Cole Eiserman doubled up Team USA's lead less than nine minutes later. Slovakia got on the board with Adam Nemec's second goal of the tournament.

The Americans exploded for three goals in the second period, with Plante potting his first goal of the night less than three minutes into the frame. Cole Hutson followed near the midway point, and Will Skahan added his first of the tournament late in the period.

Eiserman found the back of the net for the second time just 33 seconds into the third period before Plante added his second of the night later in the frame. Tomas Chrenko scored for Slovakia with 42 seconds left in regulation.

Let's go to our standouts from Saturday's semifinal game.

James Hagens, F

It will have to take some doing for another player to knock Hagens off the No. 1 projected pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after this tournament. The 17-year-old tallied three more assists on Saturday. Hagens not only became the highest-scoring American ever at this tournament, but he surpassed Nikita Kucherov's all-time record of 21 points in a U18 tournament.

Cole Eiserman, F

Eiserman had been held scoreless in the last two games, and perhaps no player looked more relieved and excited all at the same time when his power-play clapper found the back of the net in the first period. The Boston University commit added another goal in the third period, tying Cole Caufield's NTDP scoring record of 126 career goals. All eyes will be on Eiserman in the gold medal game.

Max Plante, F

Other than Hagens and Eiserman, Plante has been one of Team USA's best forwards in this tournament, and he was finally rewarded with a pair of goals on Saturday. Plante's abilities were on full display on his first goal: the skating, the vision, the passing, the desire to shoot, and the execution. He also finished with the second-most shots on goal (5) for Team USA, trailing only Hagens, who had seven.

Cole Hutson, D

Many wondered how effective Cole Hutson would be in this tournament after returning from injury. However, the young defenseman has been a dynamic difference-maker and has continued to litter the scoresheet. He scored for the third time in this tournament on similar-looking plays as his previous two goals. Hutson has such an effective shot from that left flank.

LJ Mooney, F

Mooney has proved that the moment is not too big for him after being elevated to the NTDP U18 squad earlier in the year and has carried that success over into this tournament. Mooney, who just turned 17 in March, added another two assists on Saturday, and his ice time has continued to increase as the tournament has progressed. The University of Minnesota commit had a beauty of an assist on Plante's second goal on a tic-tac-toe play with EJ Emery involved as well.

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Highlights